PORTAL — After a stunning setback last week, the Portal Panthers will try to get back to their winning ways tonight as they travel over to Evans County to take on Claxton at 7:30 p.m.
    At halftime of last week’s game against Metter, a 2-0 record to begin the season seemed almost certain for the Panthers as they led 24-0. But the win was not to be as Metter exploded for 28 unanswered points in a comeback win.
    “That was a tough one,” said PHS coach David NeSmith of the loss. “We need to learn from that. We played well, but too many mistakes in the second half really hurt us and cost us the game.”
    Tonight, Portal tries to rebound against Claxton, which is also coming off of a disappointing loss.
    Last week, the Tigers played No. 4 Emanuel County Institute even through three and a half quarters, but ECI scored a pair of late touchdowns to hand Claxton its first loss of the season.
    “We were disappointed in the loss,” said Claxton coach Allen Cartwright. “But we also think there’s a lot to be learned from it. Overall, we played a very good game and doing so against a team as good as (ECI) gives us a lot of confidence coming into this week.”
    When the two teams line up, the game will likely be a battle of size against speed.
    Armed with Denzell Washington and Joe Lockley on both the offensive and defensive lines, Portal has the physical presence to dominate in the trenches. The pair will try to make things difficult for the Tiger running game, which is still effective, but lacks the sixe on the offensive line from years past.
    “Portal is a very big team up front,” said Cartwright. “I’m not sure that just going right into their line is the best way to try and beat them. There are definitely some matchup problems that they can give you and that we’ll have to get around.”
    Conversely, Portal has spent the week preparing for Claxton’s team speed, which was able to hem in ECI’s highly talented rushing attack for the majority of last week’s game.
    The speed also carries over to the offensive side of the ball as Lebron Glover, Shavez Mincey and Zachaeus Grant can run away from defenders.
    Throw in quarterback Michael Peel’s ability to distribute through the air, and the Tigers become a big threat to get their playmakers in space.
    “We’re going to have to continue to have a good mix of run and pass,” said Cartwright. “With Portal’s talent up front, that’s the best way to sustain drives.”
    “Not only do (the Tigers) have good speed, but they use it well,” said NeSmith.
    “I know coach Cartwright is doing a very good job. Claxton is a very well coached team and because of that, they do things well in all aspects of the game.”
    Tonight’s game will be vital to the momentum – or lack thereof – that the teams can take into next week. After squaring off in their cross-division game, both the Tigers and Panthers begin their Region 3-A schedule in Week 4.

    Mike Anthony can be reached at (912) 489-9404.